If you lived in Zimbabwe instead of United States, you would:

be 57.2% less likely to be obese

In United States, 36.2% of adults are obese. In Zimbabwe, that number is 15.5% of people.

live 19.6 years less

In United States, the average life expectancy is 80 years (78 years for men, 82 years for women). In Zimbabwe, that number is 60 years (58 years for men, 62 years for women).

Economy

make 96.1% less money

United States has a GDP per capita of $59,500, while in Zimbabwe, the GDP per capita is $2,300.

be 2.6 times more likely to be unemployed

In United States, 4.4% of adults are unemployed. In Zimbabwe, that number is 11.3%.

be 4.8 times more likely to live below the poverty line

In United States, 15.1% live below the poverty line. In Zimbabwe, however, that number is 72.3%.

spend 26.3% more on taxes

United States has a top tax rate of 39.6%. In Zimbabwe, the top tax rate is 50.0%.

Life

have 2.7 times more children

In United States, there are approximately 12.5 babies per 1,000 people. In Zimbabwe, there are 34.2 babies per 1,000 people.

be 31.6 times more likely to die during childbirth

In United States, approximately 14.0 women per 1,000 births die during labor. In Zimbabwe, 443.0 women do.

be 5.6 times more likely to die during infancy

In United States, approximately 5.8 children die before they reach the age of one. In Zimbabwe, on the other hand, 32.7 children do.

Basic Needs

be 60.0% less likely to have access to electricity

In United States, 100% of the population has electricity access. In Zimbabwe, 40% of the population do.

be 69.7% less likely to have internet access

In United States, approximately 76.2% of the population has internet access. In Zimbabwe, about 23.1% do.

be 22.5% less likely to have access to improved drinking water

In United States, approximately 99% of people have improved drinking water access (99% in urban areas, and 98% in rural areas). In Zimbabwe, that number is 77% of people on average (97% in urban areas, and 67% in rural areas).

Expenditures

spend 62.6% less on healthcare

United States spends 17.1% of its total GDP on healthcare. In Zimbabwe, that number is 6.4% of GDP.

spend 68.0% more on education

United States spends 5.0% of its total GDP on education. Zimbabwe spends 8.4% of total GDP on education.

Zimbabwe: At a glance

Zimbabwe is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 386,847 sq km. The UK annexed Southern Rhodesia from the [British] South Africa Company in 1923. A 1961 constitution was formulated that favored whites in power. In 1965 the government unilaterally declared its independence, but the UK did not recognize the act and demanded more complete voting rights for the black African majority in the country (then called Rhodesia). UN sanctions and a guerrilla uprising finally led to free elections in 1979 and independence (as Zimbabwe) in 1980. Robert MUGABE, the nation's first prime minister, has been the country's only ruler (as president since 1987) and has dominated the country's political system since independence. His chaotic land redistribution campaign, which began in 1997 and intensified after 2000, caused an exodus of white farmers, crippled the economy, and ushered in widespread shortages of basic commodities. Ignoring international condemnation, MUGABE rigged the 2002 presidential election to ensure his reelection. In April 2005, the capital city of Harare embarked on Operation Restore Order, ostensibly an urban rationalization program, which resulted in the destruction of the homes or businesses of 700,000 mostly poor supporters of the opposition. President MUGABE in June 2007 instituted price controls on all basic commodities causing panic buying and leaving store shelves empty for months; a period of increasing hyperinflation ensued. General elections held in March 2008 contained irregularities but still amounted to a censure of the ZANU-PF-led government with the opposition winning a majority of seats in parliament. MDC-T opposition leader Morgan TSVANGIRAI won the most votes in the presidential polls, but not enough to win outright. In the lead up to a run-off election in late June 2008, considerable violence enacted against opposition party members led to the withdrawal of TSVANGIRAI from the ballot. Extensive evidence of violence and intimidation resulted in international condemnation of the process. Difficult negotiations over a power-sharing "government of national unity," in which MUGABE remained president and TSVANGIRAI became prime minister, were finally settled in February 2009, although the leaders failed to agree upon many key outstanding governmental issues. MUGABE was reelected president in June 2013 in balloting that was severely flawed and internationally condemned. As a prerequisite to holding the elections, Zimbabwe enacted a new constitution by referendum, although many provisions in the new constitution have yet to be codified in law.

How big is Zimbabwe compared to United States?
See an in-depth size comparison.